The program will originate live from Las Vegas, site of tonight’s star-studded 2009 NHL Awards. The National Hockey League’s biggest names, together with celebrities from music, stage and screen, will unite for a spectacular celebration of hockey at the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. The 2009 NHL Awards will be broadcast in high definition tonight on VERSUS in the United States at 7:30 p.m. ET and on CBC in Canada at 8:30 p.m. local time.

Thomas took his game to a different level this season while backstopping the Bruins to their highest victory (53) and points (116) totals since 1971-72. He led the NHL in goals against average (2.10) and save percentage (.933) while posting a career-high 36 wins. Thomas and Boston teammate Manny Fernandez are the winners of the William Jennings Trophy as the Bruins allowed a League-low 196 goals this season.

A speedy winger who excels at both ends of the ice, Versteeg joins teammates Patrick Kane (2007-08 winner) and Jonathan Toews to become the third Blackhawk in the last two seasons voted a Calder Trophy finalist. Versteeg led all NHL rookies this season with 31 assists as part of the young core that drove Chicago to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman broadcasts live on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET on NHL Home Ice (XM Channel 204 and on SIRIUS Channel 208 as part of the “Best of XM” programming package) and NHL.com. The show will re-air on SIRIUS XM Radio, with archived shows available for download via podcast on NHL.com.

This will be the final edition of NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman for the 2008-09 NHL season.

The show encourages fans to submit questions via phone and e-mail. To submit questions to NHL Hour call 1-877-645-6696 or e-mail nhlhour@nhl.com.